Facing up to the challenges on the horizon for cruise industry

"In the cruise sector we have one line that already has us under review for 2009, that's no secret. "We have consistent challenges across that sector. It all revolves around the visitor experience. We can try and address that through 'way finding' (banner/map program) but it's going to take continued effort and continued support from all around to make that work.”—Tourism Prince Rupert’s Bruce Wishart on the challenges facing the local cruise market.

With one cruise line exploring its options as far as keeping Prince Rupert as a port of call, local tourism officials and operators are looking for ways to improve the visitor experience and spread the word about the local tourist scene.

In an article in Friday’s paper, Tourism Prince Rupert head Bruce Wishart provided an examination of some of those local issues and how Tourism Prince Rupert needs to work with community groups to put forward the best impression of the city.

Of course, those relationships might have gotten off to a rocky start with the recent uproar over banners in the tourist areas of town. A contriversial decision which saw much anger directed at the City of Prince Rupert when it was announced that commercially commissioned banners were set to lead the way through the city districts, while locally produced banners mostly from school children were to be moved off the more heavily traveled areas.

That debate took up much of last weeks news agenda as the community groups expressed their disgust at the handling of the issue by the city, leaving more than a few local comminity members to express their frustrations in a rather vocal manner.

The Friday article provides a look at some of the comparisons between the expectations of the coming year and some of the crisis situations of the last few years in the local tourist industry.

TPR boss looking to solve new cruise line challenges
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Friday, April 25, 2008
Pages one and three

As the city prepares for the arrival of the first cruise ship of the season next week, it faces some significant challenges, according to Tourism Prince Rupert.

Bruce Wishart, executive director of Tourism Prince Rupert, spoke to Prince Rupert city council recently about plans to improve visitor experience for cruise ship passengers during the 2008 season using the new banner and map 'way finding' program.

"In the cruise sector we have one line that already has us under review for 2009, that's no secret.

"We have consistent challenges across that sector. It all revolves around the visitor experience. We can try and address that through 'way finding' (banner/map program) but it's going to take continued effort and continued support from all around to make that work," said Wishart.

The first large cruise ship arrives in Prince Rupert on Thurs., May 1, at 2 p.m.

The Norwegian Star carries 2,240 passengers and will stop for six hours.

Then, on Sat., May 3, the Mercury will stop for a full day visit.

During the season, Prince Rupert can expect regular calls on Wednesdays from the Rhapsody of the Seas, which will stay in port from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Thursdays from the Norwegian Star, which will be here from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Wishart told council they hope to have the new banners for the 'way finding' program in place in time for the first cruise ship of the season.

The colour palette for the banners was first chosen in 2004, but updated this year and the three colours of the banners match the three sections on the map.

"The banners will be going up in time for the beginning of the cruise ship operations this year, consistent with that is an enhanced exploration guide," said Wishart.

The three different areas in town include a maritime theme in Cow Bay, a cultural district that plays upon a First Nations theme around the museum and the historic downtown, with a banner showcasing a design element from the capital theatre building.

Another challenge facing Prince Rupert's tourism sector in 2008 will be the delays for VIA Rail, said Wishart.

These have been happening since the opening of the Fairview Container Terminal. However, Tourism Prince Rupert and the Prince Rupert Port Authority are working toward a solution.
Wishart told council one of the key focuses for Tourism Prince Rupert was working with community organizations.

"We need to work with our community partners, not only to ensure we are all sharing information, but to make sure we are not duplicating effort," he said.

Hotel revenues show that tourism in Prince Rupert bounced back in 2007, following the sinking of the Queen of the North in 2006 - despite a rocky start to the year.

"The 2007 season ... catastrophic road failure, that's how we started the year, flooding and landslides really hit the sport fishing sector hard, but with that exception it was a tremendous year," said Wishart.

"Hotel tax revenues came up about 36 per cent, which brings it back to pre Queen of the North sinking levels, as a matter of fact a little bit higher than that so we marketed our way out of that one."

And despite the challenges facing tourism, Wishart said he anticipates another good year in 2008.

"We are anticipating a good year. I think we can safely say we will see a continued rise in the hotel room tax. However, we do have some challenges."